Glycolipid transfer proteins (GLTPs) are a group of peripheral proteins (approximately 24 kDa) existing in many species that catalyzes the transfer of glycolipids through the intracellular membranes, but not the phospholipids or neutral lipids to transfer between different membranes. It is well-known that both sphingoid- and glycerol-based glycolipids can be transferred by GLTP as long as the hydrophobic lipid backbone has beta-linked initial sugar. The glycolipids transfer of GLTP is composed of several steps as follows: GLTP binds to the membranes; GLTP scans the membrane and uptakes the glycolipids; and then extracts the lipid from the intracellular membrane. Notably, GLTP transfers the glycosphingolipids, and this process play a pivot regulation function in various cell processes such as cell growth, surface adhesion, and neurodevelopment.

Creative Biostructure can perform two different options for membrane protein production in plants: transient expression and stable transformation. We can produce animal-free recombinant membrane proteins, which are particularly crucial for customers concerned with experimental variables caused by trace animal components or mammalian pathogens. Recombinant membrane proteins expressed by our plant system are free of animal components, serum, endotoxins and antibiotics as well as human or animal infectious agents or other endogenous mammalian contamination. In addition, post-translational modification such as glycosylation and disulfide bonds can be introduced in plant system.

With the Mempro™ plant-based protein production system, Creative Biostructure is capable of expressing, isolating and purifying GLTPs to facilitate the study of their biological functions. We can overcome the common difficulties encountered in cell-based expression system, such as misfolding, aggregation, inactivity, high endotoxin, poor stability and solubility, etc.